Inventors:
Thomas J. Dudek - Tallmadge OH
Leon F. Marker - Cuyahoga Falls OH
Hendrik Jan Jacob Janssen - Den Haag, NL
Assignee:
The General Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH
International Classification:
B60C 512
Abstract:
A laminated pneumatic tire is disclosed which may be free of reinforcing fabric and which is made of a substantial number of alternating layers of high-modulus and low-modulus polymeric material such as synthetic rubber, polyurethane rubber, and various elastoplastic and high-modulus plastic materials including polycarbonate, nylon, epoxide resins, polystyrene and the like. The alternating hard and soft layers provide the tire with a necessary durability and resistance to flex cracking. The tire may contain low-modulus polymeric layers with a Young's modulus from 300 to 2000 or higher. The high-modulus layers of the tire may have a Young's modulus from 3000 to 50,000 or higher. The preferred process involved forming the individual layers from liquid polymeric materials, such as liquid polyurethane polymers, and forming the tire in molds wherein the layers are applied to the inside of the mold by spraying or otherwise applying the liquid polymer while rotating the mold or otherwise providing rotating motion between the applicator and the mold.